13515th. (Adams Papers)
I have this week been reading Cecilia, a novel of some reputation; it was written by a Lady, and does not exhibit that knowledge of human nature, which is the greatest excellency, perhaps of novels. Some of the characters however are well drawn; they are generally exaggerated, and appear rather too strongly marked for perfect imitations of nature. The characters of Miss Larolles and of...
135227th. (Adams Papers)
The day was spent like the preceding ones. There was some company here in the afternoon. I give as much of the little lei sure time I have, as I can conveniently to some lectures upon History and general Policy a new publication of Dr. Priestley, whose literary powers may be truly called athletic. There are several other late performances, which I am desirous of reading, but more particularly...
135311. (Adams Papers)
C. Ital: Blaise et Babet et Isabelle et Gertrude. This was the third time JQA had seen this musical comedy in less than three weeks. Isabelle et Gertrude, ou, les sylphes supposés , Paris, 1765, by Charles Simon Favart, with music by Adolphe Blaise ( Brenner, Bibliographical List Clarence Dietz Brenner, A Bibliographical List of plays in the French Language, 1700-1789 , Berkeley, 1947. ).
135417th. (Adams Papers)
The young gentlemen who graduated yesterday were. Benjamin Abbot Solomon Adams Thomas Adams Thomas Bancroft Oliver Barron Stephen Baxter Joseph Brigham Joseph Cabot George Caryl Edward Clarke Oliver Dodge James Gardner Adam Gordon William Hill Charles Jackson Abner Lincoln Henry Phelps John Phillips James Prescott
1355Saturday Septr. 20th. (Adams Papers)
The enthusiasm of the People of Paris for the flying Globes is very great, several Propositions have been made from Persons, who to enjoy the honour of having been the first Travellers through the air, are willing to go up in them and run ten risques to one of breaking their necks: one of the queerest propositions, is the following one taken from the Journal de Paris of Yesterday. Je partage...
13567th. (Adams Papers)
Thompson did not attend this day at the Office. Phillips called to see us this afternoon. He has been to Portsmouth, and is now upon his return to Boston: he expects to read law in Mr. Dawes’s office. I walk’d into Newbury this evening with Stacey. The evenings grow long to my great regret. At present I can employ the evening from dusk till nine o’clock in walking; and as I am not over fond of...
135721st. (Adams Papers)
This morning I left Braintree in company with my brother Tom, who was going to Haverhill; and in order to have company, so great a part of the way, I determined to go there with him. We stopp’d a short time at Cambridge, and I went to Dr. Rand’s to take a Letter from Miss Newhall, as I had promised her at Commencement. She was gone out but had left the Letter. We dined in Wilmington, and got...
1358October. 17. 1783. (Adams Papers)
Diné chéz M: l’Abbé de Chalut.
135927th. (Adams Papers)
Went into the library, and took out one Volume of Wolff’s mathematics. Charles went to Boston: this evening Cranch returned from Braintree: we had a class meeting this evening, and voted to present a petition for a private Commencement to the overseers, who are to meet next Tuesday. I was desired, with Barron and Packard to draw up the petition. The meeting was adjourned to monday night....
136024th. (Adams Papers)
I went in the forenoon, and exhibited my complaints to Dr. Swett, but he told me, they were not worth speaking of; and so I will e’en let them take their chance. This afternoon Townsend, and I, went down to Mr. Tracey’s, upon a disagreeable piece of business, but which we got through quite comfortably. Ben Hooper called on me in the evening. I have again begun upon Gibbon’s roman history, and...
136111th. (Adams Papers)
Thompson watch’d last evening; in consequence of which he felt not much disposed to study closely this day, and was but little at the office. Walk’d in the evening with Putnam. For protection against fires and other disorders, the town of Newburyport required the services of two night watchmen, chosen by the constables from a list of all able-bodied townsmen ( Currier, Newburyport John J....
136217th. (Adams Papers)
This morning the different parts for Commencement were distributed by the president, in the following order. 1. A Latin Salutatory Oration, by Little. 2. An English Poem by Harris. 3. A Syllogistic disputation upon the question—“Whether thought be the essence of the soul”? by Hammond , respondent. Whitney, Phelps, Mason , and Lovell opponents. 4. A Forensic disputation, upon the...
136314th. (Adams Papers)
I was about an hour with Dr. Kilham at his shop, Immediately after dinner; I took up one of the volumes of Junius’s Letters, and carried it with me to the office; I read the whole afternoon, and was interrupted only by the shadows of the evening. I called upon Little, and brought him home with me, to my lodgings: we pass’d a very sociable evening together: after he was gone I took up again my...
1364September 1. 1788. (Adams Papers)
Rain. Pass’d the evening with Stacey.
13657th. (Adams Papers)
North-east winds, still chill the blood, and with a dull cold principle affect our spirits. This evening, immediately after prayers, the Martimercurean band paraded; the members belonging to our Class appeared for the last Time. They performed the manual exercices, and the different evolutions, very well. Supp’d at Bradish’s with Bridge and Foster: the former has obtained leave to be absent at...
136621st. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Williams this forenoon closed the subject of Pneumatics, with an account of the different kinds of air. Was employ’d, the chief part of the day in writing my part for Commencement, and have not yet finished it. As I am conscious, of having no talent at rhetorical composition; this allotment has given me a vast deal of anxiety. As my part is of the same kind with that of Freeman, whose...
136727th. (Adams Papers)
A List of the Present, junior Sophister Class William Lovejoy Abbot. *Abiel Abbot *John Quincy Adams. Jonathan Amory Samuel Angier *William Amherst Baron Barron *Benjamin Beale *James Bridge. *Josiah Burge John Chandler. Thomas Chandler *Gardner Leonard Chandler Caleb Child *William Cranch *Joshua Cushman Peter Eaton *Oliver Fiske John
136824th. (Adams Papers)
This evening, just after tea, at Chandler 1st’s chamber, we were all called out by the falling of a fellow, from the top to the bottom of the stairs. He was in liquor, and tumbled in such a manner, that his head was on the lower floor, and his feet two or three steps up. When we first went out, the blood was streaming from his head, his eyes appeared fixed, and he was wholly motionless. We all...
136911th. (Adams Papers)
A very warm day. I loitered away my time, as I have, every day for these three weeks. Classmates dropping off. Very few will be left by the 21st. This evening the sodality went serenading and at 3 in the morning they play’d in our entry. Richard Whitney of Petersham, Worcester C, was 20, the 23d. of last February. His circumstances are low and he will find it very difficult to get through...
137017th. (Adams Papers)
I never was so impatient in my Life, as I am now for other Letters from Europe. Leonard White, went to Boston in the morning, but did not bring back any Letters. Was employ’d great part of the Day in writing off yesterdays Lecture. JQA ’s curiosity was aroused after Billy Cranch had received “a hint of a certain Circumstance” in a letter from his mother the previous day, the same day JQA had...
137114th. (Adams Papers)
Thanksgiving day. Mr. Hilliard, preached a very long sermon, but none of the best. He appeared to have laboured much, and I thought quite without success. Indeed he thought perhaps there was no reason for giving thanks considering the Situation of the Country, and this makes him the more excusable. Bridge and I went down after meeting to Judge Dana’s; dined, and passed the afternoon and...
1372Sunday July 1st. 1787. (Adams Papers)
Attended Mr. Wibird all day: in the afternoon, four children were baptised. We remain’d after meeting to hear the singing. Read some of Bolingbroke’s metaphysical speculation in the evening. Dull times.
137314th. (Adams Papers)
After several attempts to see Mr. van Berkel, he was at length found at home, and declined taking back the horse, though he de clared he had never discovered any fault in him. The son said he was sorry his father persisted in refusing. At about 4 afternoon I again mounted the horse, and rode him ten miles as far as Mr. Hall’s tavern, which is a very elegant one; and where I found Mr. de...
13747th. (Adams Papers)
We had this morning a continuation of Mr. Williams’s System; by which, he pretends to account for the aurora borealis, in a manner different from any that has yet been started. His Hypothesis appears to be very plausible, and I hope, that if it is not wholly true, it may lead on to further discoveries concerning a Phenomenon, which has not yet been well accounted for. I declaim’d in the Chapel...
137521st. (Adams Papers)
We had to day a Doctor Haven, from Portsmouth to preach; to day: he took his text from Psalm XXIII. 1. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want: in the forenoon, and in the afternoon, from I Corinthians. I: 18. For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish; foolishness: but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. I did not by any means like him so well, as I did Mr. Thatcher...
137617th. (Adams Papers)
Paris. Italian Theatre. 1st. Representation of Alexis et Justine . Went before 5. o’clock. Could not find one place high nor low. Went to the Grands Danseurs du Roi, in a fiacre, for neither Servants nor carriage were to be found. Le trousseau d’Agnes . Le Qui-pro-quo de l’hotellerie . Rope dancing. Sophie de Brabant, Pantomime . Just such another Théatre as the Varietés. Plays just calculated...
13774th. (Adams Papers)
Attended the meeting; forenoon, and afternoon. I went after meeting and drank tea, and spent a couple of hours with my uncle Adams. Past 6 o’clock before I got home. If the weather should be good I shall set out to-morrow with my aunt, to go to Haverhill.
137811th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Howard a Minister from Boston, preach’d in the forenoon from, Proverbs I. 20. Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth, her voice, in the Streets. 21. She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the City she uttereth her words saying. 22. How long ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?, and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? And...
137929th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Wibird preach’d all day from John I, 47. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile! Mr. W. is said to be so fond of his ease, that he seldom writes new Sermons, but preaches his old ones over and over, frequently. But this was new, and one of the best that I ever heard him deliver, full of judicious reflections, and wise...
138021st. (Adams Papers)
Paris. Dined at Mr. Jeffersons. Captn. Paul Jones told us the Marquis de la Fayette was arrived. Vrais Principes de la Langue Française, Synonimes François de M: l’Abbe Girard. Abdir , a new piece was announced for to day at the French Théatre, but is put off to next Wednesday. Mr. Blanchard cross’d from Dover to Calais in an air balloon, the 7th of the month, accompanied by Dr. Jefferies....
1381Finis. (Adams Papers)
This Latin proverb originally appeared at the beginning of JQA ’s first discourse before the A.B. Club (entry for 12 June , above).
13823d. (Adams Papers)
Paris. In the afternoon with Mr. A. went for the books arrived from London. Not to be found. Bought other books. Weather somewhat cold. The whole month of January very mild. JQA began this month with the date “Tuesday February 1st. 1785.,” but his first entry is on the third. Neither set of books has been identified.
138327th. (Adams Papers)
Breakfasted with Mr. Gerry in Company, with Mr. Söderström the Sweedish Consul at Boston who arrived here lately. Went with Mr. Mölich and visited Mr. van Berkel, and Mr. Le Roi; Dined at Mr. Ramsay’s in Company with Mr. Gardoqui, Mr. Randon, General Howe, General Knox, Miss Susan Livingston for whom I had a Letter, and several other persons. Miss L. appears to me to be a great talker, but...
1384Sunday August 15th. 1784. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Mr. Barclay’s.
138527. (Adams Papers)
Splendid parade. Much company. Several regiments of troops from Boston were reviewed by Gov. Hancock and other dignitaries at Braintree (Massachusetts Centinel , 29 Oct.).
138631st. (Adams Papers)
At about 10 in the morning I cross’d the river with Mr. B. Jarvis and found his brother Charles at Brooklyn. We went from thence to Jamaica which is 12 miles from the ferry. It is a beautiful island though the soil is very sandy. After dining at the Tavern we went to Church, where we saw Mr. Harrison, Miss S. Sears. Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Bordieu. After Church we went to a Mr....
138717. (Adams Papers)
Went to Milton. Chilly weather looks like snow.
1388[19th.] (Adams Papers)
Thursday went into Paris shopping.
138931. (Adams Papers)
Mr. A. returned. Company at dinner. Mr. and Mrs. Storer. C. Storer &c.
13907. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Cranch’s after meeting. Mr. C. quite unwell.
1391Wednesday September 1st. (Adams Papers)
Dined at Dr. Franklin’s.
139224th. (Adams Papers)
I attended at Mr. Atkins’s Court; and appeared to the actions. Mr. Marquand who had been summoned there, appeared, and somewhat diverted us by his impetuosity. I met young Thomas in the street who gave me some information from Cambridge. This being the last day of service, we have been uncommonly busy in the office in copying the writs and making out records, according to the Justice’s act,...
139321. (Adams Papers)
Letter from Mamma. Hartford. Fed. Senators. Probably AA to JA , 16 Nov. ( Adams Papers ). In this letter, written from Hartford, AA makes reference to the elections of federal senators in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
139414th. (Adams Papers)
I met with several impediments in the morning so that it was eleven o’clock before I cross’d the river: the weather was very good, but growing Cloudy. I got to Doctor Kitteridge’s house at Andover, before one. I stop’d to see my Class-mate W. Abbot and dined there. Bowman and Wyeth were likewise there. I would say something of Mrs. Kitteridge, but it would be now a very improper time to give...
139511. (Adams Papers)
Dined with Mr. Tufts. Not very bright. Dr. Swett’s.
13964th. (Adams Papers)
I heard Mr. Andrews preach, his sermons were both very short; but better I think than those he delivered last Sunday; his text was, “If they believe not Moses and the prophets, neither would they be perswaded though one rose from the dead.” Pickman observed, that there was a Sermon of Archbishop Tillotson, from the same Text, and the similarity is such as proves that Mr. Andrews had read it;...
13977th. (Adams Papers)
I attended at Mr. Carey’s meeting, all day. In the forenoon he was quite severe upon all persons who either did not attend divine services so steadily as they might, or who being at the house of the Lord do not behave with proper decorum and respect. No person said Mr. Carey who is going into the presence of an earthly prince, will appear in a loose, neglected, attire; as it would be...
139824th. (Adams Papers)
Miss Ellery, went home this morning, after breakfast. Miss Jones, rather unsociable; her spirits low. Charles and Tom, arrived here, this afternoon from Haverhill: left all our friends well. I went down to Mr. Dana’s with Charles, had a long conversation with Miss Almy, upon a subject, interesting at the present moment. Williams came home with Mrs. Dana, and we return’d together, at about 10....
139914th. (Adams Papers)
Mr. Wigglesworth gave us this morning a private lecture, and Mr. Williams had a public one, in the afternoon. Bridge and Freeman went over after dinner to attend an exhibition of Cushman’s school in Mystic. I could not go. Mr. Thaxter and Mr. Duncan, were here a few minutes; they came from Haverhill this morning. I made tea for the club this evening, and I believe it will be for the last Time....
140011th. (Adams Papers)
This afternoon I took a ride with Dr. Kilham, as far as Newtown to see Mr. Dalton, but neither he nor his lady were at home. We rode a mile or two beyond that, and returned just after dark: that road is very good and the prospects all around are very beautiful; but the leaves begin to fall, and the year appears to proceed rapidly on a decline. Amory was with me part of the evening.